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NTSB Report
September 15, 1985 · Cessna 401 · N3298Q
Cheswold, DE
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 15, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Cheswold, DE
Aircraft
Cessna 401
Tail Number
N3298Q
Operator
Aero Quest Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO85LA076
AFTER LANDING ON RUNWAY 27, THE PILOT SLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE AIRCRAFT HAD ROLLED OUT ABOUT 1000 FEET WHEN THE GEAR HORN SOUNDED AND ALL THREE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PILOT REACHED FOR THE GEAR SWITCH, WHICH WAS IN THE UP POSITION, BUT THE GEAR COMPLETED ITS RETRACTION AND THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED ALONG THE RUNWAY APPROXIMATELY 127 FEET. TESTING OF THE SQUAT SWITCH, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, REVEALED THAT THE SWITCH HAD FAILED.
Full Narrative
AFTER LANDING ON RUNWAY 27, THE PILOT SLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE AIRCRAFT HAD ROLLED OUT ABOUT 1000 FEET WHEN THE GEAR HORN SOUNDED AND ALL THREE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PILOT REACHED FOR THE GEAR SWITCH, WHICH WAS IN THE UP POSITION, BUT THE GEAR COMPLETED ITS RETRACTION AND THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED ALONG THE RUNWAY APPROXIMATELY 127 FEET. TESTING OF THE SQUAT SWITCH, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, REVEALED THAT THE SWITCH HAD FAILED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:20 EDT
Nearest AirportDelaware Airpark (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length3484 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 401
Tail NumberN3298Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAero Quest Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO520 E · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 1 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time11:55
Weather SourceWFAC